Head protector



' Sept. 17, 1940. QMAURO 2,214,748

HEAD PROTECTOR Filed Aug 10, 19:59

INVENTOR.

EUGENE MA 0120 74% fiyy g ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES HEAD PROTECTOR Eugene Mauro,Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August 10, 1939, Serial No. 289,437

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in head protectors; andparticularly to a novel type of protective headgear for persons who playbaseball.

An object of the invention is to provide a head protector fora playerwhen he is taking his turn at bat, and adapted to prevent injury if theball thrown by the pitcher hits the players head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a head protector of thiskind that is strong and durable, but simple in construction, inexpensiveto manufacture, and easy to put on and take off without necessitatingremoval of the players cap.

To this end it comprises few parts, being constituted chiefly of a pairof cushioned side shields or plates shaped to cover the ears andadjacent parts of the'head and cheeks; and a resilient connector thatpreferably engages the forehead or front of the cap above the visor, orsome other part of the wearers head or cap; so that the device will fitthe head comfortably but firmly, but can be stripped off at once when itis no longer needed.

The objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing description and drawing, and the essential characteristics aredefined in the appended claims. But the details of construction may bevaried to a considerable extent without departing from the principle ofthe invention or exceeding its scope.

On said drawing Figure 1 is a side view of a batsmans head protectoraccording to this invention,

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure l,

and

Figure 3 is a top view showing the protector on a reduced scale.

The same numerals identify the same parts throughout.

The side plates or members of the protector are indicated at I; Theplates are made of light and strong material, such as tough fiber board,and are united in front by a bowed spring metal connector 2. Thisconnector is strong enough to hold the protector in place by making theside plates l clamp the wearers head securely between them. If desired,the spring connector 2 can be otherwise joined to the plates I; as byafiixing it so that it will pass over the head or even around the backthereof. As it is shown, the protector can be slipped on over theplayers cap C, above the visor V, very neatly, holding both itself andthe cap in place; and when the player hits the ball, the headgear in noway interferes with his running.

The side plates are concave somewhat on their inner faces, and haveopenings 3 in proximity to the ears. The top and rear edges are lined Iwith a cushion strip 4, of rubber, felt or the like, and each plate Ihas an extension 5 that projects downward, in a position to be under ora little in front of the ears, and over the players cheeks, theseextensions having inside pads or cushions 6. With such shape and size,the device gives ample protection to the players temples, headat thesides, cheeks, and ears; and enables him to face the pitcher withcourage and confidence and have no fear that he is going to be hurt,even when he sees the ball coming straight towards him. 15

The side plates. l are first flat, and cut out or stamped out of a sheetin the form required. They are made concave by cutting them in line withthe rear edge of each extension 5 and be-, tween theseextensions and theapertures 3. The 0 free narrow portions 1 thus provided are forcedforward into overlapping relation to the other edge of the cut, andfastened by a rivet 8 or other means to the plates I. This springs theplates outward, and they remain sprung or 25 bowed when the ends of theportions 1 are made fast. Being thus hollowed, the side plates do notpress on the players ears, and do not obstruct the hearing, because ofthe presence of the apertures 3. 30

The cushions may be fastened by stitches, rivets, or other means.

The plates I are strong enough and are set stifily enough to stop abaseball travelling at high speed without any disturbing impact or shockto 35 the player, .if the ball should strike one of the side plates andmore or less flatten it.

The device can be turned out at no great expense, and is light buteffective, so that it will fully safeguard but never encumber the playerusing it. If desired it can also be worn with the spring 2 on the top ofthe head, and the parts 5 presented forward. I

While the invention has been described in connection with the specialstructure illustrated, 45 it is not limited to that preciseconstruction, but in practice the device may be altered to the fullextent consistent with the meanings of the general terms in which theappended claims are expressed. 5

The invention having been described, what is believed to be entitled toprotection by Letters Patent of the United States is: I Y

1. Head gear comprising side plates, a connector comprising a singleresilient band having 55 its ends affixed to said plates and sprung topress the plates against the head, and cushions on the inner faces ofsaid plates, each plate having a cut extending inward from a point onits periphery, the edges of said cut being secured in overlappingrelation to make the plate hollow on its inner surface.

2. Head gear comprising side plates with openings therein, a flexibleconnector comprising a single resilient band affixed to said plates atits ends and sprung to press the plates against the head; said plateseach having a cut across same between said opening therein and the outeredge of the plate, the portions on each side of said out being caused tooverlap and being fastened together to spring each plate outward, saidplates having extensions at the lower edge in front of said openings,pads on the inside of said extensions, and cushion strips along the topand rear 20 of said plates.

head; the latter having a cut across same between said opening thereinand the outer edge of the plate, the portions on each side of said outbeing caused to overlap and being fastened together to spring the plateoutward, said plate having an extension at the lower edge in front ofsaid opening, a pad on the inside of said extension, and a cushion stripalong the top and rear of said plate. EUGENE MAURO.

